A curfew was imposed in and around the central city of Rambukkana on Wednesday in the wake of anti-government protests in Sri Lanka. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Tuesday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Another 30 protesters and 11 policemen were injured. This is the first death in the ongoing anti-government protests in the country. News AFP.
Police were active in the beginning of the protesters. Protests in the country demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa have re-announced the hike in petrol prices as a “slap in the face”.
Protesters blocked the Rambukkana main highway and railway line on Tuesday. Police fired tear gas shells and shot in the protest. A 42-year-old man died on the spot. The deceased was the father of two children. A curfew was imposed in Rambukkan yesterday.
In addition to the town of Rambukkana, a 95-kilometer curfew has been imposed in the vicinity. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he was “deeply saddened” by the police firing. He promised that peaceful protests against the government would not be stopped. He also said that the police force would conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the incident. Police say that they were forced to take action when the protesters set fire to an energy tanker. However, the Sri Lankan opposition has denied the allegations.
International concerns
Foreign diplomats stationed in Colombo have expressed concern over police firing on protesters. “In order to uphold the right of the people to peaceful protest, there must be a full and transparent investigation into the incident,” said US Ambassador Julie Chang. British High Commissioner Sarah Halton has expressed her condolences over the violence and called for restraint.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for emergency funding. The country began talks with the IMF on Monday. In the context of the ongoing talks in Washington, the IMF said that Sri Lanka would have to restructure its debt before finalizing the waiver facility. Noting that the talks are still at an “early stage”, the IMF said it was concerned about the plight of the country’s people.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .